Ketchup - Rex

Aside from terrorizing his baby sister, big brother, dog, parents, and pretty much everyone else he come in contact with, Rex has been a pretty mellow fellow.

He's been spending his last days of summer learning to tie his shoes, memorizing his phone number, and practicing writing his last name. While we've been spending a lot of time easing the kid into school mode. Being a stay at home preschooler, he already knows a lot, but for some odd reason he was under the impression that kindergarten will be all fun and games. Like, video games, computer games, board games. Not so much learning, but a really long play day. I swear Nate told him this nonsense, but Nate swears he did not. Either way, Turbo and I have been schooling the guy on school, just so he's not disappointed when he gets there.

He seems to be doing alright with the last minute educating, and is really excited about starting school next week. I, on the other hand, just want him to stay home forever. I hate the first day of school. Not the one that comes every year, when I can hardly stand to have the kids in the house complaining about how bored they are and my brain is fried from having to find something for us to do everyday, but the FIRST day of school.

Oh, how I will cry next week. My little guy will step on that bus and out of the house by himself for the first time and I will be a mess. I trust him, I know he will be good and do well, but I hate acknowledging that he is this old. Don't get me wrong, I certainly don't want my kids to be babies forever, nor do I want them to cling to me as they grow. I want them to be independent, to be smart and secure, to act responsibly and appropriately as Turbo and I have taught them to. I just have a hard time watching it happen.

Getting on that bus is the end of an era for Rex. Just like I know it is coming for Lucy, I know it is here for him. He is not a baby, hardly my little guy anymore either. I guess as a mom those are the milestones that you struggle with the most. They hurt and they are difficult and they are scary, but then you consider how hard you've worked for the last 5 years and know that every minute of every day was preparing him for this moment and every one after and you have some faith that everything will be ok. That he will be ok, that I will be ok.

But just in case I am not, Turbo took three days off next week to help me cope. He's so darn smart...